Validity of a smartwatch for detecting atrial fibrillation in patients after heart valve surgery: a prospective observational study.

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common early arrhythmia after heart valve surgery that limits physical activity. We aimed to evaluate the criterion validity of the Apple Watch Series 5 single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) for detecting AF in patients after heart valve surgery.

Design: We enrolled 105 patients from the University Hospital of North Norway, of whom 93 completed the study.

Using mobile health to encourage physical activity in individuals with intellectual disability: a pilot mixed methods feasibility study.

Background: Many individuals with intellectual disability (ID) have a sedentary lifestyle. Few interventions aimed at increasing their level of physical activity (PA) have shown lasting effects.

Aim: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a pilot intervention study using innovative mobile health (mHealth) support systems to encourage PA in individuals with ID.

Physical Activity Behavior and Its Association With Global Cognitive Function Three Months After Stroke: The Nor-COAST Study†.

Objective: The purposes of this study were to determine the association between physical activity (PA) behavior and global cognitive function 3 months after stroke and to explore the role of physical capacity as a mediating factor.

Methods: Participants with stroke were successively recruited at 5 different hospitals in Norway. PA was measured using accelerometers, with a follow-up period of 7 consecutive days, and global cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

mHealth Support to Stimulate Physical Activity in Individuals With Intellectual Disability: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Pilot Study.

Background: Several studies have shown that individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have low levels of physical activity (PA), and intervention studies on PA suggest inconsistent evidence. The use of technology as a means of motivation for PA has yet to be extensively explored and needs to be further investigated.

Objective: We aim to assess the feasibility and acceptability of procedures for an intervention arm in a future trial on mobile health (mHealth) to support PA for individuals with IDs.

The influence of snuff and smoking on bone accretion in late adolescence. The Tromsø study, Fit Futures.

Unlabelled: Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) predicts future fracture risk. This study explores associations between use of tobacco and bone accretion in Norwegian adolescents. Our results indicate that use of snuff is negatively associated with accretion of aBMD in adolescence and may be a signal of increased future fracture risk.

Persistent pain associated with socioeconomic and personal factors in a Sami and Non-Sami population in Norway: an analysis of SAMINOR 2 survey data.

In international studies, higher prevalence of persistent pain has been reported in indigenous populations compared to majority populations. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of persistent pain within a Sami and a non-Sami population in northern Norway, with adjustment for the confounding factors of age, sex, marital status, education, income, mental health, smoking status and ethnic background. Using SAMINOR 2 survey data including Sami and non-Sami populations, we analysed 5,546 responses, from individuals aged 40-79 years, to questions concerning persistent pain (≥ 3 months).

Post-stroke health-related quality of life at 3 and 12 months and predictors of change in a Danish and Arctic Norwegian Region.

Objectives: To investigate changes in health-related quality of life between 3- and 12-months post-stroke in a north Norwegian and a Danish region that organize their rehabilitation services differently, and to identify clinically relevant predictors of change.

Design: Prospective multicentre cohort study.

Subjects: In total, 304 patients with first-ever stroke (male sex 59%, mean age 68.

Upper limb kinematics during the first year after stroke: the stroke arm longitudinal study at the University of Gothenburg (SALGOT).

Background: Reduction of compensation and improved movement quality indicate recovery after stroke. Since clinical measures alone are often inadequate to distinguish between behavioral recovery and compensation, kinematic analysis of functional tasks has been recommended.

Objective: To quantify longitudinal changes and residual deficits in movement performance and quality during the first year after stroke using kinematic analysis of drinking task.

Physical Activity With Tailored mHealth Support for Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have lower levels of physical activity (PA) and greater barriers for participation in fitness activities compared with members of the general population. As increased PA has positive effects on cardiovascular and psychosocial health, it is exceedingly important to identify effective interventions for use in everyday settings. Mobile health (mHealth) methods such as motion sensor games (exergames) and smartphone reminders for PA have been explored and found to be promising in individuals with IDs.

Stroke-Specific Quality of Life one-year post-stroke in two Scandinavian country-regions with different organisation of rehabilitation services: a prospective study.

Purpose: To compare stroke-specific health related quality of life in two country-regions with organisational differences in subacute rehabilitation services, and to reveal whether organisational factors or individual factors impact outcome.

Materials And Methods: A prospective multicentre study with one-year follow-up of 369 first-ever stroke survivors with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, recruited from stroke units in North Norway ( = 208) and Central Denmark ( = 161). The 12-domain Stroke-Specific Quality of Life scale was the primary outcome-measure.

Body Weight and Body Mass Index Influence Bone Mineral Density in Late Adolescence in a Two-Year Follow-Up Study. The Tromsø Study: Fit Futures.

Determinants of bone acquisition in late adolescence and early adulthood are not well-described. This 2-year follow-up study explored the associations of body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and changes in weight status with adolescent bone accretion in a sample of 651 adolescents (355 girls and 296 boys) between 15 and 19 years of age from The Tromsø Study: Fit Futures. This Norwegian population-based cohort study was conducted from 2010 to 2011 and was repeated from 2012 to 2013.

Spasticity, gait, and balance in patients with multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: More than 80% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are affected by spasticity. Spasticity is known to reduce quality of life and contribute to additional symptoms, such as pain and reduced mobility, but the association between spasticity, balance, and mobility has not yet been established. Our aim was to examine whether a relationship exists between spasticity in the lower limbs, balance, and gait, as well as to explore the involvement of different muscle groups.

Development of grip strength during the first year after stroke.

Objective: To assess recovery of grip strength during the first year post-stroke.

Design: Exploratory study on a subsample of patients participating in the Norwegian Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy trial.

Subjects: Eleven patients (mean age 59.

Recovery of kinematic arm function in well-performing people with subacute stroke: a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Most motor function improvements in people who have experienced strokes occur within the first 3 months. However, individuals showing complete or nearly complete arm function recovery, as assessed using clinical scales, still show certain movement kinematic deficits at 3 months, post-stroke. This study evaluated the changes in upper extremity kinematics, in individuals demonstrating minor clinical motor impairments, 3-12 months post-stroke, and also examined the association between kinematics and the subjects's self-perceived hand abilities during the chronic stage, 12 months post-stroke.

Kinematic upper extremity performance in people with near or fully recovered sensorimotor function after stroke.

: Clinical scales for upper extremity motor function may not capture improvement among higher functioning people with stroke. : To describe upper extremity kinematics in people with stroke who score within the upper 10% of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE) and explore the ceiling effects of the FMA-UE. : A cross-sectional study design was used.

Early versus late-applied constraint-induced movement therapy: A multisite, randomized controlled trial with a 12-month follow-up.

Background And Purpose: A direct comparison between the effects of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) applied early after stroke and that of CIMT applied in the chronic phase has not been conducted. This study aimed to compare the long-term effects of CIMT applied 6 months after stroke with the results of CIMT applied within 28 days post-stroke.

Methods: This study was a single-blinded, multicentre, randomized controlled trial with a crossover design.

Norwegian constraint-induced therapy multisite trial: adherence to treatment protocol applied early after stroke.

Objective: To investigate to what degree patients adhered to a modified constraint-induced movement therapy protocol, and to explore factors associated with the results.

Design: Prospective follow-up of the intervention arm in a randomized controlled trial.

Subjects: Twenty-four patients within 28 days after stroke.

Efficacy of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Early Stroke Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Multisite Trial.

Background: There is limited evidence for the effects of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in the early stages of stroke recovery.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a modified CIMT within 4 weeks poststroke.

Methods: This single-blinded randomized multisite trial investigated the effects of CIMT in 47 individuals who had experienced a stroke in the preceding 26 days.

A meta-analysis of constraint-induced movement therapy after stroke.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of constraint-induced movement therapy in adult stroke patients and to examine the impact of time since stroke and various treatment modalities.

Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane and PEDro trial registers were searched for clinical trials published before November 2012.

Study Selection: Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials of constraint-induced movement therapy lasting 2-7 h/day for 8-28 days were included.

Arm use in patients with subacute stroke monitored by accelerometry: association with motor impairment and influence on self-dependence.

Objective: To assess the effect of arm motor impairment on actual arm use in the early post-stroke period and explore its association with self-care dependency.

Subjects: Thirty-one patients recruited within the 30 first days after stroke.

Methods: Motor impairment of the upper extremity was measured with Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA) and arm use was measured with accelerometry.

Activity-related pain in patients with chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

Purpose: Activity-related pain may be a barrier to rehabilitation in patients with chronic musculoskeletal disorders. This study investigated patients' reports of increased pain during activity, and the association between such pain and psychological factors and pain variables.

Method: Questionnaires from 232 adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain measured pain intensity, spread of pain and pain duration.

The association between timed up and go test and history of falls: the Tromsø study.

Background: Fall-related injuries in older adults are a major health problem. Although the aetiology of falls is multifactorial, physical factors are assumed to contribute significantly. The "Timed up and go test" (TUG) is designed to measure basic mobility function.